Opinion: NH music scene has a lot of growing up to do
Covering the New England music scene as a music journalist is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences any writer and music fan could ever dream of. I could write endlessly about the talent in our six state region and all of the exiting bands I’ve seen in all of the special venues I’ve visited. Sadly, there is one New England state that hasn’t yet gotten the memo that the New England music scene is a scene of professional musicians and music industry professionals. That would be my beloved home state of New Hampshire.
Aerosmith are genetically incapable of making a bad album
There are many theories and opinions floating around the music scene. My most favorite opinion, because it is so laughable, is that Aerosmith stopped making good albums between Rocks and Permanent Vacation. Others say that the bad boys of Boston never made another good album after Permanent Vacation. This is a bunch of hogwash. The reality is this: Aerosmith is genetically incapable of making a bad album.
Albums I would want to have with me if I was stranded on an uncharted desert island for a year
These are the albums I would hope to have with me if I ever got stranded on an uncharted desert isle. I’m not saying these albums are any better than albums by any other artists. I’m only saying these are the albums I couldn’t live without if I got stranded on an island with a portable CD player and a year’s supply of batteries:
LoveWhip serves up visual splendor in Let Go! video
Although this zine does not, by matter of policy, review singles, samplers E.P.s and any other short form recording, an exception can be made for a music video. A music video stands alone as a collaboration of multiple artists to achieve numerous visual effects forged into one message. The amount of effort that went into LoveWhip’s latest video “Let Go!” is overwhelming. “Let Go!” is a colorful motion of sight and sound. In just the first few notes from a sassy saxophone, you’ll see colorful visuals, including bright red lips that recall Andy Warhol, the LoveWhip logo, and artsy backdrops, all by Jehanne Junguenet. All the while curvaceous front woman Erin Harpe shakes it like a disco mama on fire.
Mystery novelist Larry Maness pens a daunting tale of murder, faith, and redemption in The Voice Of God
The Voice Of God written by Larry Maness and published by Mainly Murder Press is a skillfully crafted work of detective fiction. Maness, an author of three previous mystery novels, has, as usual, based his tale in the greater-Boston area. Provincetown is the main setting, and what a lavish setting it is. Maness’s eye […]
Music journalist discusses his favorite beers, ales, meads, and wine
When people offer to buy me a beer or drink at a show, I usually turn them down. That’s not because of any journalistic ethical clause about not accepting gratuities. If your music is lame, I simply won’t write about it. I usually order only a Coca Cola at venues. I need to remain clear-head, […]
A music journalist’s letter to Santa
Dear Santa, I know this is a last minute Christmas list, but there’s a few things that the greater-Boston music scene really needs. If there’s anyway for you to drop these things off during your fly over tonight, I would greatly appreciate it, as these items will be a big help once this pandemic is […]
My second list of some favorite songs by local artists
I received so many positive responses to my last list of favorite songs by local artists that I felt compelled to write a second. Off the top of my head, here they are: “Kokomo Me Baby” as recorded by Peter Parcek. Parcek has a lot of fun with this shuffling, boogie blues number by Fred […]
List of favorite songs by local New England artists
A week ago I posted my second list of some of my favorite songs. I stuck to nationally and internationally known bands, even though I’m a local greater-Boston/New England based music journalist, to insure they were songs everybody would recognize. Just the other day I had a realization that the younger generation would sum up […]
My second list of personal favorite songs
I received a lot of positive feedback the last time I wrote one of these lists of some of my favorite songs. I wrote that last one because I was tired of reading lists of greatest albums and greatest songs in Rolling Stone Magazine and in other publications. I’m still scratching my head wondering how […]
